FG approves N16bn contract for maritime security

Federal Executive Council yesterday approved concessioning of some sections of the nation’s maritime security to Global West Vessel Specialist Agency, GWVSL, the private security firm contracted by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA.

The contract, which is worth over N16 billion ($103 million), according to a Vanguard source, is to enable the GWVSL provide the platforms and other equipment necessary forNIMASA and Nigerian Navy to perform the policing function effectively.

Confirming this to Vanguard, the Special Adviser to the President on Maritime Services, Mr. Leke Oyewole said contrary to general belief in the industry, government was not concessioning the security of the nation’s maritime to the private firm but only out-sourced the supply of the platforms for execution of the project.

Oyewole said the information being sent out to the public was misleading, adding that only the Nigerian Navy, with support from NIMASA had the statutory powers to secure the nation’s coastal waters

He explained that all kinds of illegalities took place off-shore and the need to secure lives and property off-shore could not be over emphasized.

The Senior Special Adviser noted that the bureaucracy in government was the reason behind out-sourcing of the supply of the platforms. He stated that the actual implementation of securing the Nigerian maritime domain will be done by Navy and NIMASA.

He disclosed that the arrangement with the private firm was such that it will not get paid unless significant value was seen to have been added to operations and revenue profile of NIMASA.

He further explained that current arrangement by Government was in line with the International Ship and Port Facility Security, ISPS, code of the International Maritime Organisation, IMO.

His words: “The government has not concessioned the maritime security, what we have done is out-source the supply and provision of platforms like patrol boats and other materials needed to secure both the waters and off-shore operations.

When contacted, the Deputy Director in charge of Public Affairs in NIMASA, Hajia Lami Tumaka, told Vanguard that she was not aware that FEC had approved the contract. She, however, said the agency will soon make an official statement on the issue.